Rice 'n' Peas

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Rice 'n' Peas

Caribbean style rice 'n' peas - a MIH kitchen and community party staple! 

Ingredients

400 grams can of kidney beans

1 garlic clove

1 onion

200 millilitre coconut milk

200 millilitre water

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

400 grams white rice (brown rice also works and is healthier)

2 sprigs of thyme

1 tablespoon of coconut oil

1 whole scotch bonnet chilli (we put it in whole, not to eat but to add a warmth to the dish)

Method

1. Rinse the rice.
2. Chop the onion and garlic into thin pieces. You can lightly sauté or leave to add in raw.
3. Add the rice, onion and garlic to a pan shortly followed by the coconut milk and water, kidney beans (including juices from the can) and allspice.
4. Next add the thyme and scotch bonnet. There are two methods. Add sprigs of thyme and scotch bonnet pepper whole and remove both after cooking, or, add the thyme leaves to the pot and slice 1/4 scotch bonnet into small pieces and add to the rice and do not remove.
5. The liquid should come about 3cm above the level of the rice and beans. Bring to a simmer, then cover with a lid, turn the heat right down and cook for about 10 to minutes (don’t stir the rice, but you can scrape the bottom of the pan from time to time, to ensure rice on the bottom isn’t burning.)
6. Locate and carefully remove the chilli and thyme sprig if you’ve gone for that method. Fork through the rice to fluff it up.

Photography by Chelsea Bloxsome for Made In Hackney www.chelseabloxsome.com